Alki to Blakely Rock is the route.

If last weekend’s rowing marathon wasn’t enough for local rowers, there are two more events to test the hardest of paddlers.

The Sound Rowers Club is holding the Great Cross Sound Race and the North American Open Water Rowing Championships this weekend at Alki Beach in West Seattle.

The 28th annual Cross Sound Race is open to all human-powered boats such as rowing shells including sliding seat and traditional fixed seat dories, kayaks, surf skis, canoes and outrigger canoes, pedal boats and dragon boats.

Rowers of either sex or age can participate, as there are no restrictions.

All boats begin at a mass start at Alki Beach and will travel a triangular course, heading west toward Blakeley Rock off of Bainbridge, then turn south towards and around Decatur Reef Buoy, then back to Alki.

The participation fee is $15 for a Sound Rowing member and $25 for non-members. Participants will earn a T-shirt and a post-race lunch.

A Coast Guard approved life jacket and whistle is required, along with the ability to handle strong currents and winds.

Participants must be able to self-rescue as well and attend a 8:15 a.m. pre-race meeting. For more info, contact Theresa and Jeff Knakal at 425-338-9441 or at jknakal@yahoo.com

The first ever North American Open Water Rowing championships will run at the same time as the Great Cross Sound Race. Participants from all over the world will compete in five classes – the men’s single, women’s single, men’s double, women’s double and mixed double – over a 7.6 mile course from Alki Beach to Bainbridge and back.

It is the first time that Sound Rowers is hosting this event.

Winners will receive a national title and until proven otherwise, will be declared North American Open Water Rowing Champions.

“We feel our members are the fastest open water rowers, and we’re ready to prove it,” Sound Rowers president Marty Meyers said in a press release. “Let the competition come over the horizon and prove us wrong.”

Soccer team gets pro lesson

A Bainbridge select soccer team got a visit from a pro player on Monday.

Cam Weaver, a forward in his first year with the Seattle Sounders, came over to the island and practiced with the GU12 Blue Force.

The Force earned their visit as they bought more than 30 tickets to a recent Sounders game.

As part of the Sounders’ “Train With The Pros” program, Weaver made an appearance on the island to go over various drills and give tips to the players.

Weaver said he’s been to a few places this year to help out with local soccer teams.

“It’s fun to get into the community and get involved with the kids,” he said.

He also wanted to let the team know that they can have fun on the field as well.

“You have to enjoy playing it (soccer) and you have to have fun playing it,” he said. “That was the big thing for me when I was growing up.”

“I think in youth sports, sometimes parents put a lot of pressure on kids to play or force them to play and maybe the kid doesn’t want to play.

“I just want them to get excited about soccer.”

Josh Marx, the assistant coach of the Force, said that more players that come out and visit the kids, the better.

“The kids don’t have anybody to aspire to, (unlike other sports) like ‘Be Like Mike,’ or be like Sue Bird,” he said. “It’s not in their face like other sports.”

The 24-year-old forward currently leads the team and the USL First Division in goals with 18.

He won a national championship at Seattle University in 2004 and scored 17 goals and seven assists in his two-year tenure at the school.

Weaver was a two-time all league player at the school.

A native of Kent, he was a four-year starter for Kentridge, leading his team to a third-place finish at State his senior year.

The Sounders (9-11-4) are currently in sixth place but are fighting for a playoff spot.

Their next game is this Friday at 7 p.m. at Qwest Field against their rival, the Minnesota Thunder.

– John Becerra, Jr.